William Dayton Shelly

Dr. W. Dayton Shelly, of Tunkhannock, died Friday at home. His wife of 42 years is Dianne Banta Shelly, Tunkhannock. Born Feb. 17, 1943, in Abington, son of Dr. Robert M. Shelly, Palm Coast, Fla.; and the late Florence L. Shelly, Dr. Shelly was a graduate of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio; and Temple Medical College, Philadelphia. He graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors and completed his surgical residency at Abington Memorial Hospital. Before medical school, he was a Vietnam-era member of the Army, stationed at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington D.C. After his residency at Abington Hospital, he joined the practice of surgery with Dr. William R. Host in Tunkhannock. Their practice was founded on mutual respect, the love of surgery, and compassionate caring for their patients. Their complimentary attributes maintained a wonderful partnership that lasted for 17 years. Dayton and Dianne moved to Kenansville, N.C., in 1994 where he accepted a position at Duplin General Hospital. Dr. Shelly returned to Northeast Pennsylvania in 2004 to accept a position at Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, a hospital his parents helped establish. He was blessed to be able to return to Tyler Memorial Hospital to work again with patients and employees he cared for dearly. Dr. Shelly loved his career so much that he felt he never really "worked." He treasured the gift of being able to help and heal those around him. He and his wife Dianne, a nurse, worked side by side in their office and were partners in every sense. She was his devoted wife and partner, and he adored and treasured his grandchildren. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by those he loved. Surviving are a son, Lee C. Shelly and wife, Laura Ann, Lansdale; a daughter, Melissa R. Kandrovy and husband, Joseph Kandrovy; Tunkhannock; four grandchildren, David Shelly, Jillian Shelly, Logan Kandrovy and Dayton Kandrovy, his namesake; two sisters, Katherine Shelly and husband, Edward Cameron, Ararat and Jane Shelly, of Stanford, Conn.; a brother, Arthur Shelly and wife, Deborah, Thompson; several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Dr. Shelly’s life will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, with Dr. Brown Caldwell, pastor of Haverford Presbyterian Church and a friend of the Shelly family, officiating. Friends may call Tuesday, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. As per his wished, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tyler Memorial Hospital Surgical Services, 880 RR 6 W.,